At any moment Roger Philippon could suddenly be one of five people who played a critical role in the founding of our nation. That is, if someone gets sick.

Philippon, 70, of Lewiston has committed to memory five roles as an understudy in the Maine State Music Theatre’s production of the Tony Award-winning musical “1776, ” now in Brunswick through Saturday, July 11.

Philippon has studied the parts of five characters present during the Second Continental Congress in 1776, when delegates from the 13 colonies gathered in Philadelphia to debate and sign the Declaration of Independence.

In Philippon’s first gig as a professional actor, he is ready to play Caesar Rodney, delegate from Delaware; James Wilson, delegate from Pennsylvania; Stephen Hopkins, delegate from Rhode Island; the Rev. John Witherspoon; and congressional secretary Charles Thomson.

“It has been quite a ride!” Philippon said during an interview last week.

Philippon is no stranger to acting. He has performed in more than 30 productions at Community Little Theatre in Auburn. He developed the passion for acting in plays at St. Dominic Regional High School in Lewiston and continued to take on many roles over the years.

Philippon was at a reception at Maine State Music Theatre earlier this year when he talked to Curt Dale Clark, Maine State Music Theatre’s artistic director, and reminded him that he was in the Community Little Theatre’s production of “1776” in October 2024.

“He then asked me if I might be interested in being an understudy for the MSMT production. He knew that I had a pretty extensive acting background and that I was intimately acquainted with the show,” Philippon said.   

Normally a musical will have cast members who are playing minor roles also serve as understudies for the lead roles, as is the case with this production, Philippon said. But for this show, there are also three “external understudies” — Philippon and two others — who are not playing any roles but serving strictly as understudies for specific supporting characters.

“Due to the nature of this show and the fact that almost all the characters are on stage for most of the production, it would be very difficult to have another actor ‘cover’ for the missing cast member or do a scene without him,” Philippon said.

“Thus, we are ready to step in, in the unlikely event that a cast member is unable to go on. And I don’t believe that being an external understudy for multiple secondary roles is not uncommon,” he said.

Clark, who is also playing Richard Henry Lee in the production, said the role of an understudy has become “more important than ever. Before the pandemic, it was rare for an understudy to go on at Maine State Music Theatre. Today, it’s simply part of producing live theatre. Having experienced performers like Roger ready to step in gives us the confidence that, no matter what happens, the show can go on.”

Clark noted that Philippon was particularly well suited for his role as understudy despite any lack of professional experience.

“Roger is uniquely qualified for this production because ‘1776‘ is one of his favorite musicals. He’s performed in it multiple times over the years, so he came to us with an incredible knowledge of the show,” Clark wrote in an email.

“That experience allows him to confidently cover five different roles, each with its own demands and nuances. That’s a remarkable accomplishment,” he said.

Philippon, a lifelong Lewiston resident and retired dean of Planning and Public Affairs at Central Maine Community College in Auburn, acknowledged taking on five characters was a leap.

“This has been quite a challenge, and one that I could not have done but for my being so familiar with the show. Memorizing lines has not been very difficult, and I have been at numerous rehearsals and taken extensive blocking notes. Fortunately, most of my characters don’t move about the set very much.”

Philippon said the challenge has been “intimidating at times. Fortunately, everyone at Maine State Music Theatre has been incredibly helpful and welcoming.”

He added, “I have been so impressed with the talent, experience, and work ethic of these professionals. They have very little time to rehearse and they are very focused and attentive (a few of them were rehearsing ‘1776’ while they were still in ‘Hairspray,’ the first show at Maine State Music Theatre this summer).

“They know their lines, hit their marks, and seldom need to be reminded of some direction they have been given,” he said.

Clark was equally complimentary of Philippon. “Beyond his talent, Roger is simply a wonderful person. He fit right in from day one, and our entire cast embraced him as part of the company.

“Even though audiences may never see him on stage, knowing Roger is prepared to step into any one of five roles at a moment’s notice gives everyone confidence. He’s an essential part of making this production possible,” Clark said.

Philippon called his first professional experience a “tremendous opportunity. … I am privileged to work with such a fantastic group of professionals. I should add that while I am only an understudy, I was fitted for costumes (which I have at the ready) and even have my own makeup table. I have been treated as a cast member in every respect,” he said.

While it is very unlikely he will ultimately appear on stage, Philippon said, “this has still been an experience of a lifetime for me.”